Clerc ruled out of NZ tour

France and Toulouse wing Vincent Clerc is set to miss the June tour to New Zealand after picking up a serious knee injury.

France and Toulouse wing Vincent Clerc is set to miss the June tour to New Zealand after picking up a serious knee injury.

Clerc, the leading active try scorer for France, injured his right knee in the reigning Top 14 champions' 39-17 defeat at Clermont on Saturday, although he does not yet know the exact nature of the problem.

The 31-year-old announced the news via Twitter, saying: "Unfortunately the news is not good... The injury will keep me out for several months. We'll meet again at the beginning of next season."

It means he will miss three Tests against New Zealand, on June 8, 15 and 22, as well as the French play-offs with his club next month.

He was injured while being tackled in the 52nd minute of the clash with the new Top 14 leaders and had to leave the field immediately.

It is hard luck for Clerc who ruptured the cruciate ligament in his other knee in 2008, again in a match against Clermont.

That injury left him on the sidelines for eight months, after which he took a long time to rediscover his previous form.